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On October 10, 2018, the HMHS girls JV soccer team handily beat their opponent in a 5-0 shutout at Crows Woods. But it was the night before where the players came together for a more important win. By the close of their October 9th team dinner, the entire team had put pink extensions in their hair to support their beloved coach Jessica Miller during Breast Cancer awareness month.

Miller, a digital media specialist in the district, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. She explained “My journey was a difficult one, through my treatment and my surgeries, and having a newborn. So for me, it was a difficult time. But it was also sprinkled with a ton of love and generosity from this town. I really felt like I had everyone rallying for me, both from the high school, and the middle school, and all the elementary schools”

And the rallying continues. When asked why the team decided to put the extensions in their hair, sophomore Ava Narducci describes Miller as “a very influential person” for all the girls. “What she went through…we wanted to help support.” The girls call their team a second family and Miller is the “mom” of this family. Narducci noted that we wanted to “do everything we can to let her know that we love her.” So, in addition to working hard on the field, the girls show their support throughout the day.

Megan Cutter, a junior on the soccer team said “We all want to make Miller proud…She’s made us pretty proud…She’s a survivor” The girls noted that the gesture has made a difference for the team. “It’s really brought us together.”

The American Cancer Society says that while significant progress has been made in addressing breast cancer, there is still more to be done. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women and more than a quarter million are expected to be diagnosed in 2018. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is aimed at increasing awareness of the disease and supporting those affected by it. This October there is a group of young soccer players roaming the Haddonfield halls doing just that.